No one wants to wake up to smudgy, smeared pillowcases—no one. So, all the makeup's got to come off. And if not for the sake of your linens, then for the sake of your complexion. Trouble is—especially if you're tired—it takes up precious time you could otherwise put toward sleeping. But how long does it really take?

In July, ITG uncovered how long it takes to put your face on, so this second experiment was an ideal follow-up. Back I went, into three women’s homes with a stopwatch in hand—this time, when they were in their pajamas.

Each woman was different. Funny, savvy. Deliberate, speedy. Yet they were also surprisingly alike: They all showered in the morning. They all took their contacts out to sleep. Here's what else went on:

Jamie Wachlarz: The Recommitted Skincare Devotee

Final time - 9:58

For the interview portion of my 9pm, appointment with Jamie, we leaned against her bathroom sink. All of her chairs were already packed for the move she and her new husband are taking on later this month. Their June '15 wedding spurred Jamie to recommit to her nighttime skincare routine. Now she allows lots of leisurely time at night to reset her skin. After all, the days are jam-packed as the Director of Digital Media at PR agency, Krupp Group, which represents many CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists such as Eva Fehren. The newlywed’s earrings and rings are a dead giveaway to this.

“I feel like I’m wearing the city when I come home from work,” explains Wachlarz. “It’s in my pores. Like walking around the city in sandals in the summer and realizing your feet are all black and you don’t know why. Washing your face gets all the soot off you.” That’s why she starts her evening routine long before bedtime and cleanses before dinner. She’s also adept at multitasking along the way (e.g. tending to her eyebrows while the toner dries). This self-directed beauty buff calls the day a wrap when her cuticles are covered with balm and CNBC’s American Greed is on.

Skin: Comodynes Micellar Instant Cleansing Solution; Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner; Philips PureRadiance Skin Cleansing System; RéVive Gentle Purifying Gel Cleanser; Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask or Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask; Joanna Vargas Rejuvenating Serum; Joanna Vargas Daily Serum; Joanna Vargas Daily Hydrating Cream or Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture; La Mer The Eye Concentrate; Just Be Nourishing Face Oil

Nails: Glossier Balm Dotcom

Aviva Grinnell: The Beauty Sale Insider

Final time - 1:36

At 10pm on a Monday night, I head to Park Slope, Brooklyn. A third-floor walk-up reveals the well-appointed flat of Swarovski’s Global Art Director. I scan the room: No crystals suspended from the rafters, but she is sporting a new black diamond. It suits the fashion-industry veteran. After almost a decade in the business, she credits her work as the spark behind her beauty regimen. “I haven’t bought products in 10 years,” she laughs.

“I picked up whatever was at the Beauty Sample Sales. I have bags and bags in, literally, a box in the basement—full of makeup and beauty products I haven’t used.” The only exception? Cetaphil and Neosporin, tried and true basics she’s found work best for her skin, no matter what her day has in store (she buys them herself). This week, she’s prepping for the luxury jeweler’s support of 15 fashion designers like Peter Pilotto and Creatures of the Wind for NYFW. When nightfall comes, she speeds through her evening routine and flips through a few pages of Mia Alvar’s In The Country before lights out.

Skin: NUDE Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash or NUDE Perfect Cleanse Nourishing Cleansing Oil in the winter; NUDE ProGenius Omega Treatment Oil; Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser; Neosporin Original Ointment

Lips: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

Hair: Bobby pin & hair tie

Lisa Bubbers: The All-Natural Jetsetter

Final time - 3:39

The latest interview yet, it is 11pm when I buzz Lisa from the lobby. She admits she’s not a morning person and that that’s a good thing in the start-up world where 7pm is the new 5pm. Bubbers currently the Director of Marketing at Homepolish, which offers beautiful, affordable interior design by the hour. When she’s not in back-to-back meetings, Lisa has a serious case of wanderlust. She’s currently between trips to Morocco and Nantucket, where she’s picked things up along the way. Most notably, argan oil.

“These days I have a more organic-based beauty routine,” she shares. “Back in the day it was chemical based. Now I like tea tree oil to dab on zits and I like the smell of herbals.” Take, for instance, earthy sage or lavender. Or her weekly clay mask that makes a satisfying sound as it’s removed, Bubbers demonstrates with a grin. After a quick cleanse and a cream, she throws her hair into a braid and does some light reading—currently On the Move: A Life by Oliver Saks—before hitting the sack.

Skin: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser; Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment; Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Soothing Face Cream; Avène Sérénage Nutri-Redensifying Night Cream and Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Soothing Treatment Lotion; Boscia Luminizing Black Mask or Cattier Paris Clay Mask; Koutoubia Morrocco Oil Argan; Finest Nutrition Tea Tree Oil

Hair: Hair tie & braid

Bottom line: The average evening beauty routine took 5:07 from the first splash of water to the last stroke of lip balm. How does it compare to your daily skincare? Share your thoughts and times below.

—Katie Sherman

For more daily beauty routines check out #ITGTopShelfie. Also, check out this guide to best acne treatments to sleep in.